Ingredients and actives

Niacinamide

Also written as vitamin B3, niacinamide serum.

A water-soluble vitamin used across serums, essences and moisturisers. Stable, cheap and forgiving, which is why it turns up in almost everything.

What it needs from a bottle

One of the few actives that does not dictate the container. Pick the format from the texture instead: watery at 5% suits a dropper, a 10% gel-cream suits a pump. Clear glass is fine here, which makes niacinamide a sensible hero for a brand that wants a see-through bottle.

Formats that suit it

• Clear and frosted droppers
• Pump bottles